Kings Island 2021 Kick Off

We have been patiently waiting for the beginning of the 2021 Kings Island season! As season pass holders, we were allowed in on sneak preview weekend. After COVID and 2020’s season being so affected by it, we were really excited to be back again. Both of our boys were too, given that they are a little taller and can ride a few more attractions. I’d say overall, we had a mixed experience.

Overall, we could tell they are having issues with staffing. Food lines were long everywhere. I’ve not seen a 30 or 40 person deep food line in between meals. Usually that happens around lunch or dinner time, not at 3:00. It was so bad we left to grab dinner because we knew that when the boys get hungry, they want to be fed immediately. And, if you do not get food in front of them, they can be really, really cranky.

L and T only got to ride one ride, the lines were just really long. Maybe everyone wanted to get out of the house like we did. Typically opening weekend for season pass holders is fairly moderate in terms of attendance. It’s not usually a 60 minute wait for a ride. Now, it was everywhere. We did not see a single ride that you could get immediately on. Even the smaller kiddie rides were busy. Oh well, B and I walked around and shopped instead. I found the two new craft beer exclusives there and tried them. The “Giga Coaster” was decent, but the “Blue Ice Cream” from Sonder was terrible. I really had to choke that one down. I guess it is a one-off thing that at least you can say you tried it.

As far as COVID precautions, most people were not wearing masks outside. They would put them on in restaurants and shops, or at least most people did. We didn’t get our temperature checked like last year, and the walk in tent was not put up either. The water park sounds like it requires reservations, so we may not get a chance to get over there as easily as before COVID.

It sounds like Kings Island realized they had a labor issue and they’ve shortened their operating hours. They’ve also raised wages too so they can attract more help. Hopefully as the season progresses some students are able to apply and work this year and get the park back to normal. At least we did get out and experience some normalcy. It was nice to be with my family, outside, enjoying each other’s company in such a fun place that means so much to us.